Alessia Mancini
I leaned in close, my lips brushing Giovanni's ear as I whispered, "Vitale is still watching us intently." The warmth of his body enveloped me, his cologne a heady mix of citrus and spice that made my head swim.
Giovanni's hands tightened almost imperceptibly at my waist. To anyone else, we likely appeared the picture of a besotted couple, all secret smiles and intimate touches. But I could feel the coiled tension in his muscles, belying the easy charm of his expression.
"Is she now?" he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. His stubble grazed my cheek as he pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, dark eyes glittering with a dangerous intensity.
I nodded minutely, hyper-aware of the countless eyes upon us. The ballroom sparkled around us, a
